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Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:54 pm

This is a general nut and bolt question and not really Thing or even VW related but I figure someone here could help.

Today I started removing the CVs to pull the transmission off and found that heads on two of my hex head cv bolts are stripped. i.e. The wrench slips in the head. There's not much room and I had no luck getting a pair of vice grips to turn the bolts. Is there any special too that will help here? Or is my best bet to notch it out with the rotary tool and use a flat screw driver?

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks,

Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:35 am

There is a tool or bit that is used to remove VW CV bolts Check it out here:
http://www.partsplaceinc.com/products/product-detail.aspx?sku=3481

It is a: VW CV Bolt Tool. The 8mmm, 12 point (triple square) bit is a must have for removing the bolts holding the inner CV joint on most VWs. It's a really easy job with this tool, and impossible without.
Fits: All VWs with 8mm 12 point (triple square) bolts.

First clean out the inside of the bolt (use a sharp object like an ice pick) to allow the tool to fit completely inside. Spray the bolt head asn shaft with PB blaster. The bolts nearly almost always come out after the head had been cleaned thoroughly asn all grease removed. Then the correct tool will fit deeply into the head. A slot has been ground into the head to allow a flat tipped screw driver to be used for removal but cleaning and using the correct tool works way better and much faster. We have new and used CV bolts and bar washers available Our used CV bolts are factory original German 944/924 Porsche hardware.

Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:23 am

Thanks KMann. As you noted, the tool should fit deeply into the bolt, but these two do not. I've scraped them out with a nail set but can't get the tool I have any deeper. I'll order this tool and apply some PB and give it another whirl.

Thanks again,

Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:40 am

The grease gets super crusty/packed. Do not be afraid to use a sharp object after using repeated coats of PB blaster and really dig into that bolt head. I have even used small drill bits to cut the grease free. Ice pick, small pocket knife, dental tools anything hard and sharp. The inside is very rarely damaged (bolt is too hard) just often filled with hardened grease.

Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:52 am

If you cannot remove them with the above methods or using needle nose vice grips a good choice is to use a cut-off wheel to remove the heads from the bolt, then slide the joint off the bolt, and use vice grips to remove the bolts afterwards.

Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:12 pm

what MIGHT work for you is trying out different-sized allen wrenches. When I originally took out my CV's, the IPO (Idiot Previous Owner) did not have a 12-star bit so he hammered in an Allen wrench, which deformed the mating surfaces.

Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:29 pm

When I bought my Thing the first repair I needed to do was replace the cv joints and boots. I got under there and found four of the bolts where missing. The rest had been stripped out and attacked with vise grips. The "triple square" bit wouldn't work because of the damage so i tried a few different allen wrenches with no luck. I got half of them out by using a small sharp chisel and tapping on the side of the bolt head until the chisel "caught" then once it was loosened I used a pair of pliers to remove them. The rest I removed by hammering in a slightly larger Torx bit socket. The points of the Torx dug in good and they came out. Good luck!

Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:18 pm

ICTrains,

Just where in L.A. are you?

I'm "pret neer" Auburn and have a socket that will bite those heads. If you want to come up this way let me know.

Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:37 pm

Sounds like another perfect "Thing Family Beer/12 Point Socket Reunion" to me. Git er dun!! Thing folks rock..

Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:50 pm

MRJEL,

I'm "pret neer" Mobile. (pronounced "Moh-beal" for those geographically challenged among us) ;)

I appreciate the offer for sure. I was just through there a few weeks ago; wish I'd known then. Oh well, every man needs an excuse to purchase another tool. :D

Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:54 pm

Three of my cv joints use the special tool, however one has allen head bolts??

Tue Jul 31, 2012 6:18 am

Over the years since VW went from swing axles to IRS the CV bolts have been manufactured 8 mm hex and 8 mm 12 point star(also called triple square). However, an 8 mm 12 point star tool will remove an 8 mm hex CV bolt just fine. But, an 8 mm hex tool will not properly fit inside an 8 mm 12 point star CV bolt head. As a result of all the various situation I have been in over the years where a CV needed to be pulled, I have collected more CV bolt removal tools than a single person should own....

As a side note, the best quality CV bolt removal tool out there is made by Hazet:

Part Number: 990-8
Hazet 8mm XZN / Triple Square, 1/2" Drive. Lifetime quality tool.
Mfg in Germany
Tax Exempt
Price: $CAD 31.00 ($US 30.41)

http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=17755

Sat Aug 04, 2012 7:16 pm

I found this socket ( http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2351 ) on "that auction site" for $6.95 with free shipping. Everywhere else was $8 or more plus shipping (around $16). I received it two days after ordering it only to realize that it was Chirco's "auction site" store that I'd ordered from. I'm kind of surprised as it's over $10 in the link above.

Anyway, the tool worked great. I gently tapped it into the stubborn bolts, attached the ratchet and the bolts came out with little effort. I think it's as KMann stated; old grease had hardened in the bolt. It just took the right tool.

Now to find the corret size socket to remove the transaxle.

Thanks for he help everyone.

Sat Aug 04, 2012 10:14 pm

I have a nice long tool to use with the 12 point CV bolts. Overall it must be 4 1/2 - 5" long. Makes getting at the bolts past the boots much easier.

Sun Aug 05, 2012 5:02 am

As you go forward with your VW journey remember you have lots of help here to assist you any time you find you are lacking any small piece of data that leads to your success in completing each small task that leads to the Thing of yer dreams. The trans is attached with one front (nose) mount and two rear mounts. The front mount bolts to the frame on two 10 mm studs. Then the mount has two 10 mm studs that bolts to the trans with two 10 mm nuts. The two rear mounts attaches to the trans support member with 8 mm bolts... The support member is held place with two large bolts (there are a few different styles but most Things have the bolts wiht the 20 mm heads. Also remember to disconnect the shift link at the back of the tunnel, under the back seat inside the center access door, back-up light wiring and grounding strap prior to removing the trans.

Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:05 am

Thanks again KMann!

Sun Aug 05, 2012 3:01 pm

this trick has never failed me,straight jaw VICE-GRIPS rotate bolt head to bottom clamp vice grips as tight as possible,use tire for leverage and remove bolt!!!